Syracuse’s Big East campaign is done for the 2010 season. But there is one game remaining on the schedule. Syracuse renews an old Big East rivalry against Boston College, a team that left the conference in one of the must underhanded and sneaky dealings in college sports in recent memory. Syracuse decided to insure that it would not be a pleasant exit as Syracuse beat Boston College both in the Carrier Dome and in Massachusetts in their last regular season meetings. The added bonus was the final game in Massachusetts stopped Boston College from winning the Big East Championship and going to the BCS game. It also put Syracuse in a four way tie for the Big East and got them to bowl eligible. While not as much as stake in this game, there is still pride and the fact Syracuse would like to beat a BCS team at home this season.

Syracuse is coming off of their worst offensive performance of the season against Connecticut last week. Connecticut was a team very much like Syracuse. They ran the ball first, and then passed when needing too. That is exactly how Boston College is. They run the ball, and have found little success in the air. This is a defensive team and the offense will be the big question, much like Syracuse. However, unlike Syracuse, Boston College is missing their star tailback Montel Harris, who was injured in last week’s game and could be out up to six weeks. That means it’s up to QB Chase Retting, who has 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the year, and backup RB Andre Williams, who has yet to score this season and has only amassed 225yds on 35 carries on the season. This is the perfect opportunity to shine. Syracuse had an absolutely embarrassing offensive performance last weekend, and they need to end the year on a high note. I think they will, because they cannot play this badly at home against decent teams the entire year. It doesn’t make any sense. Syracuse should rebound. Look for Syracuse to take some bigger shots in this game than then did or attempted to do in the last one. Limiting mistakes will be the key to this game. Whoever commits the most turnovers should lose this one. Additionally, Syracuse really got in trouble with penalties last weekend, so being focused and not holding or false starting is paramount to offensive success on the day. I expect both Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey to carry the load on the day and get Syracuse to a magical eight win number. Syracuse over Boston College in a classic eastern rivalry 20 to 17.

Syracuse will be featured on ESPN at 12:00pm this Saturday. That’s right, the flagship. Hopefully Syracuse will enjoy a nice win in the Carrier Dome as you enjoy the warmth of the Carrier Dome, or leftovers in your living room. Check out John’s article on the recent games between Syracuse and Boston College here, and he’ll be back in a bit to preview the Michigan basketball game later this evening. Until then… BC sucks and always will.